Committee weighs tuition deals, takes no vote

School Committee · Meeting of February 4, 2026

North Brookfield's School Committee heard that neither regional tuition deal offers clear savings. Consultant David Mertolino, hired to vet proposals from Quabbin Regional and Quaboag Regional school districts, said a Quabbin tuition agreement would net about $48,000 in savings on roughly $2.56 million in costs, essentially a break-even. A Quaboag deal ranges from a $400,000 savings to a $340,000 cost depending on disputed special education estimates: North Brookfield puts the figure at $1,270,000, Quaboag administrators at $500,000.

More than a dozen residents spoke, including paraprofessional Kate Barbadora, who said "this school saved my kid, and I know it saved others." No vote was taken on closing North Brookfield Middle High School; the committee set its next special meeting for February 18 at 6 p.m.

In the full story:

• The Full Story
• Why It Matters
• Key Motions & Votes
• Source
• North Brookfield's community access TV: School Committee meeting, February 4, 2026
• The complete report: 765 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of February 4, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.